Lexington (CVA 16) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 18 text:

After Years of Silence Dead Load on the Catapults-A Whish, HQLLOW but heavy load simulates launch, starts down. GREY BLUR of metal as load is constantly accelerated.

Page 17 text:

1 ' 0 iT? BRARY A NAVY P DEPTT ' v TX? themselves by learning the LEX literally from the keel on up. Administration headquarters were established in a whitewashed frame house with the entrance-way of an Old South summer home. Somehow the old building lent its atmosphere to the people who were there making friends that would last a cruise, and the first nucleus of a crew was formed under its roof. In San Diego during June and July, multitudes of men came directly from boot camp to the grinder A' barracks area on 32nd street to begin training courses in Navy schools at the Naval Training Center there. Officers were few 3 an Ensign was the Chief Engineer. Here Lexington men received their first division assignments and went through the complex processing procedures necessary to make them a part of the ship-on paper-as well as in person. ln July, the San Diego detail embarked on two carriers, the HANCOCK and the PRINCETON for one week's train- ing. This was the first time at sea for almost ninety-Hve percent of the Lexington's San Diego detail of 1,400 men. Their second sea voyage began later the same month when those men with- out cars went aboard the ESSEX to make the cruise to Bremerton. They arrived at Puget Sound on August 3 and took that first, long look at their ship. On August 8 the new Lexington got her Hrst crew. fl at Q f.:eu :.' r 1 3

Page 19 text:

CHIEF GUNNER IENNINGS IN SHIP SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE LOCATES HIS PLANS AIVIID THOUSANDS OF BLUEPRINTS OF LEX A Blur, A Thud, and an OK . . . . . HURTLING off bow, lOO mph. SWAN DIVE by load is graceful. LOAD HITS, Will surface immediately. 1 Q fir i,.,,,r